Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-01
SAco, Aug. 81.

Ssco has on its hands tie biggest sensa-
ton ever experienced here.
The Saco and Biddeford Savings Institu-
ton, one OF the oldest and strongest savings
banks in Maine, has suffered most severely
through an absconding clerk, Frank C. Nc
Neely, l9 years old, who has been employ ed
in the bank about year.
He has myste-iously disappeared, taking
with him So 800 in cash, United States re gis
tered four per cent. bonds, payable in 1907,
amounting TO over SlS5 900, and railroad,
municipal and other bonds, amounting, as
near as now can be determined, to about
s9l, 900.
Though he left town Monday afternoon.
yet the bank officers and family kept so quiet
about it that the news did not leak out until
this morning. Great excitement prevails in
the city to day, as McNeely was considered
one of the most trustworthy young men in
town. The president, trustees and treasurer
placed the greatest confidence in him.
He was acquainted with the combination
of every lock in the bank vaults. Treasurer
Melville H. Kelly is also treasurer of the
Mutual Fire Insurance company. Monday
afternoon loss was reported BY fire at Ken
nebunk, and Mr.. Kelly went to view the ru-
ins, leaving Frank c. McNeely, the clerk, to
finish up the days accounts. When Kelly
that Mondays work on the books was not
completed and McNeely was absent.
President Goodale was at once notified
and the entire afternoon was spent IN exam
! time was consumed before the thefts of cash
and bonds were detected. A large amount OF
gold and currency, which McNeely could
easily have stolen, was unmolested.
| President Goodale was visited by an asso-
oiated press reporter this morning. He said
The loss is so much less than the sur
plus that the bank will be perfectly safe even
it the amount taken by the absconding clerk
is never recovered. The Sls5, 900 in United
States registered bonds csnnot possibly be
used by the thief The bank statement
last May places the surplus a little above
So, ,OOO."
Detectives have been sent in all directions
dozen of McNeely's photographs have been
found in bank drawer and placed in the
hands of detectives. McNeely's is feet IL
inches high and weighs l45 pounds. He has
stands very erect when walking. When he
left he had on a light mixed coat, dark worst
! ed trousers, and congress shoes.
The ticket agent at the Boston & Maine
station at Biddeford is quite positive that Nc
Nicely bought ticket there Monday after
noon, but does not remember to what place.
There is great excitement in the city, and
everybody is talking about the robbery. On
all the street corners are knots of men, and
in many cases women, speculating on Nc
Neely's present whereabouts. The general
opinion seems to be that he has made good
his escape to Canada.
! Almost every body in Saco and Biddeford
knew the young clerk and all express the
greatest astonishment at his doings. He was
trusted by everybody, and to all appearances
was a bright, honest and upright young man.
Nobody complains because Treasurer Kelly
put confidence in him and trusted him with a
knowledge of the combiuotions. He had so
often left McNeely to close up the day s
business that his leaving him Monday was
not at all unusual.
| Everypod seems surprised that the bank
officers were able to keep the affair such a
proioud secret all day yesterday. The bank
officials, as well as all the people in the two
cities, are anxiously awaiting further devel
opments.
He count last night was quite accurate
and it is not at all probable that the figures
/ first given OF the stolen treasure will be ma
terislly changed.
1t is reported in Portland tn at young Nc.
Neeiy took the train for Boston last night
and that he there boarded the Yarmouth, n.
S., steamer. 1t is also rumored that he re
marked to friend that he was going to
Portland that night to attend the theatre. In
that case he may have taken a late train
for Monday night for Montreal, or possibly
have until yesterday morning before making
his escape to Canada. McNeely's brother
Harry was registered at the City hotel, Port
land, and it is said be started for Montreal to
day, in company with detective, to see il
be could find any traces of his guilty brother.
Harry will probably try 10 persuade Frank
to give up his booty.
Frank McNeelys parents are well to do
and much respected people. They lived on
a farm on the river road until recently, when
they moved to Elm street in Saco. They
have three sons, one in the American express
Office, another in Chase's grocery store, and
the youngest was Frank. The boys all
boarded at home. The family with the ex-
ception of one of the older sons, are all prom
inent members of the Free Baptist church.
Mr.. Kelly, the treasurer of the bank, is also
an influential member of the same church.
Edward P. Burnham was formerly treasurer
of the bank and Mr.. Kelly was clerk under
him. When Mr.. Burnham left town, about
two years ago. Mr.. Kelly succeeded him. Mr.
Burnham did not trust Mr.. Kelly with the
combination of the vault until the last mo-
ment before he left the bank for good. Mr.
Kelly seems to have trusted young McNeely